The Preppers Guide to Making and Storing Coffee

by | Aug 5, 2019 | Preparation

Without power, there won’t be any Unicorn Frappuccinos.

Hello all! This is Rob Raskin of Las Vegas, here to bring you Part Three of my three-part series on what you’ll need to keep coffee in your daily routine after TEOTWAWKI.

After a catastrophic event, coffee will become a scarce commodity. Once you run out, you may be out for good. Even if you manage to find some coffee beans, they won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to property make and store coffee.

In this final entry in my coffee series, I’ll be discussing various ways you’ll be able to make coffee without Mr. Coffee’s help—and even if you don’t have a grinder. I’m also going to go over proper coffee storage techniques. Can you imagine how devastated you’d be if your coffee stash developed mold or other problems that made it unfit for consumption or for trade?

Don’t worry, you’re about to learn the ins and outs of coffee prep and storage for survivalists, so your coffee will be fine.

 

Can You Brew Coffee Without a Coffee Maker?

No coffee maker? No problem, because there are plenty of other ways you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Here are two that’ll have you awake, alert, and ready to face the day.

 

Pan Method

You can make coffee using nothing more than a pan, water, and ground coffee. Simply add the amount of water you need to the pan, adding just a little extra water. Once the water is boiling, add the amount of coffee you normally use. Remove your pan from your heat source and cover it. After five minutes, ladle the coffee off the top, being careful to leave the grounds that are settled below undisturbed. It really is that easy!

 

Whole Bean Method

This method takes longer because the purpose of a grinder is to break coffee beans down into smaller particles to speed up the brewing process. If you find yourself in a situation in which you have the time to relax, consider giving whole bean coffee a try. It’s worth the wait because the flavor is simply incredible. To make it, get a mason jar with 3 oz. markings and a lid. You’ll want to add one cup of hot water to the jar to start. Put a pot of water on your heat source, then place the mason jar inside it, filling it until the water level matches the level in the jar. Simmer for one hour, then carefully remove the jar, making sure to protect your hands because it’s going to be extremely hot. Pour the coffee out of the jar, and what you’ll have is the best-tasting cup of coffee of your life.

 

Can You Grind Coffee Without a Grinder?

You can grind coffee without a grinder using these four methods:

  • Rolling pin – Put the beans in a freezer bag, then place the bag between towels to protect it. Roll your rolling pin across the towels using enough force to break them into small pieces.
  • Hammer – Prepare your beans the same way you would to roll them, and use a hammer, mallet, meat tenderizer, or other blunt object to crush them, making sure they’re protected in a bag and between towels first.
  • Blender – If you have a generator, you can use your blender to grind coffee beans on the pulse setting.
  • Mortar and pestle – This one is self-explanatory. You won’t need any other equipment, but be prepared to spend a lot of time grinding your beans in a mortar and pestle.

 

How to Store Your Coffee

There is no one “right” way to store coffee, and many preppers swear their own method is the best. The truth is, their method probably is what is best for them, because no one’s situation is the same so we all may need to adjust our expectations after TEOTWAWKI. Some preppers prefer to buy canned coffee, which you can safely store in any cool, dry, dark place. You can also store beans in a root cellar. Just make sure you dig it as deeply as possible to keep the beans fresh.

 

One method many preppers swear by is storing green coffee beans and pan roasting it before use. The benefit of this is the green beans will keep longer, so there’s less risk. Like brewing whole-bean coffee, this is also something you’ll only want to consider if you’re sure you have the time, as pan roasting your beans every time is a lengthy process.

 

The best time to perfect your off-grid coffee making technique is now, while the grid is still operational, because you won’t have time to learn in a crisis situation. Remember what I always say: BE PREPARED.

Learn more about storing coffee now and after the SHTF.

 

Three ways to make coffee in the woods.